Vesna Cvjetićanin’s An Unexpected Life is a personal account of the migrant experience and multiculturalism. Images: Supplied.
Two independently published books which present collections of women’s stories from our community are apt partners for this month’s column.
Vesna Cvjetićanin’s An Unexpected Life (self-published through Samantha Jansen Publishing, 2025: cover Ingrid Karm) is both an autobiography of Vesna and life stories of 11 other women of migrant backgrounds with whom she has shared history.
Hailing from what was Yugoslavia, now Serbia, Vesna moved to Canberra at the age of 29 in 1990 and forged a life and career for herself in this city. Now retired from the public service, she has assembled the stories of key women she met during her career and who she considers have influenced her.
These women come from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Chile, Ghana, The Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Peru, Bosnia/Herzegovina and South Africa.
Each story, recorded and transcribed by Vesna, is prefaced by an account of how this woman is part of Vesna’s life story. Thus the prefaces read together form a story line of their own, enhanced and enriched by those of each of the other women.
The book is very much about the migrant experience, the many challenges and triumphs recounted revealing both commonalities and differences.
Together the pieces also reveal broader aspects of our multicultural society in Australia and how well or not so well it works on the ground.
The individuals demonstrate strength of purpose, good will, good humour, intelligence and tenacity in coming to terms with a new place to live, with what is left behind and what kept, willingly or of necessity.
In Write around the World – Women’s Voices for Peace, 25 women from diverse backgrounds write of challenge, dislocation, change, tragedy and resilience.
Write around the World – Women’s Voices for Peace (Barbara Baikie Associates and Writing with Light, 2025) is the product of the second community writing project managed jointly by the publishers, the first being a multi-year program: between the lines: stories of 11 women (published in Canberra, 2008).
Both books arose as a reaction to world conflicts and with the intent of highlighting the things we as people have in common, as opposed to the things that divide us.
In declaring the involvement of Writing with Light both in editorial and design aspects of this book, I am presenting more of a report than a review.
The 25 women who have shared their stories in this book are of diverse cultural backgrounds – Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian, English, Irish, Swiss, Hungarian/Austrian, Palestinian, Malaysian Chinese, Greek, German, Afghan, Yugoslavian, European South African, Romanian, Indian, French, Zimbabwean, Russian, Japanese, US American and Lebanese.
The age range of the writers spans decades (the oldest being 91) and encompasses an astounding breadth of world geo-political history.
All tell stories of challenge, many of dislocation, of responding to change and tragedy. For many, this has been the first time they have had the opportunity to tell their stories.
In reflecting on the experience, the writers have said how significant it had been for them to write about their lives and to read the stories of their fellow authors.
Readers generally have commented that these stories of so-called “ordinary” women have proved both fascinating and inspiring and anything but ordinary.
In her back cover endorsement, former producer of ABC’s Australian Story, Wendy Page OAM says: “At a time of catastrophic global displacement of people, this kind of story-telling is more important than ever. It’s a powerful tool for understanding.”
Journalist and women’s advocate Virginia Haussegger AM, who launched the book in Canberra in May, stated in a back cover piece: “In sharing such rich and raw moments of love, loss, grief and joy, each of these writers weaves a unique tale of courage and humanity. Write around the World is a beautiful celebration of community and the best things that unite us.”
Publication of this book was privately funded by the publishers and all professional work involved done pro bono. The writers, similarly, wrote in an unpaid capacity. Click here to order a copy.
When costs have been met, any residue will be donated to an international charity supporting women and children.
Barbie Robinson is co-founder and a content creator for Living Arts Canberra, a not for profit media outfit supporting arts and community in the Canberra region and books worldwide through its website, podcast interviews and a 24/7 internet radio station.
